Making Student Collections

Summary

Students will gain an understanding of classification systems and find application of science to the world they come in contact with each day by creating their own collections.

Materials

• student worksheets (attached)
• NOTE: You may want to provide field guides and nets for students to check out. Otherwise students provide all other supplies.

Background for Teachers

Objective:

These are quarter projects to be done by students at home. They are best accomplished at the very beginning of the school year or the last several weeks of the year. (Insects are much easier to find in the fall). Students will gain an understanding of classification systems and find application of science to the world they come in contact with each day.

Duration:

1 class period for introduction, 1 class period for mid-collection check and 3-4 weeks of out of class time for students

Student Prior Knowledge

Students should understand how to use a key and basic classification including Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

Instructional Procedures

1. Make copies of Collection Papers - student worksheets (attached)
2. Explain projects to students
3. The arthropod collection is presented in a Styrofoam box with insects pinned and labeled. The other 2 collections are put in a 3-ring binder with laminated pages or with sheet protectors.
4. You may want to show students how to pin an insect and give some collection tips
5. 2 weeks into the project have a collection check. Students should have 12 specimens mounted and identified in proper format
6. Allow students 2 more weeks to complete project.

Assessment Plan

Scoring Guide:
Mid-collection check.................30 points (graded on effort and completion)
Collection........................120 points (guide included on student sheets)

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.